National Resource Center for Rehabilitation in Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Mar 5;11:43. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-43.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic disease which affects the musculoskeletal system. Exercise programmes are reported to improve physical functioning in patients with RA. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art which combines slow and gentle movements with mental focus. The purpose of this study was to study in which way Tai Chi group exercise impacted on disease activity, physical function, health status and experience in RA patients, applying quantitative and qualitative methods.
Fifteen patients with RA (13 females, age 33-70 years) were recruited from a rheumatology department into a single group study. The patients were instructed in Tai Chi exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks. Assessments at baseline, 12 weeks, and 12 weeks follow-up were performed with a wide range of measures, including disease activity, self-reported health status, physical performance tests (Walking in Figure of Eight, Timed-Stands Test, and Shoulder Movement Impairment Scale). Qualitative data were obtained from a focus group interview conducted after completed intervention with taping and verbatim transcription. Review of the transcripts identified themes important to patients practicing Tai Chi.
Within the group, Tai Chi practice lead to improved lower-limb muscle function at the end of intervention and at 12 weeks follow-up. Qualitative analyses showed that patients experienced improved physical condition, confidence in moving, balance and less pain during exercise and in daily life. Other experience included stress reduction, increased body awareness, confidence in moving and indicated that Tai Chi was a feasible exercise modality in RA.
Improved muscle function in lower limbs was also reflected when patient experiences with Tai Chi were studied in depth in this explorative study. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods shows that Tai Chi has beneficial effects on health not related to disease activity and standardised health status assessment, and may contribute to an understanding of how Tai Chi exerts its effects.
NCT00522054.
类风湿关节炎（RA）是一种慢性、炎症性和全身性疾病，影响肌肉骨骼系统。运动方案据报道可改善 RA 患者的身体功能。太极拳是一种中国传统武术，它将缓慢而柔和的动作与精神集中相结合。本研究的目的是应用定量和定性方法研究太极拳团体运动对 RA 患者的疾病活动、身体功能、健康状况和体验的影响方式。
从风湿病科招募了 15 名 RA 患者（13 名女性，年龄 33-70 岁）参加单组研究。患者每周接受两次太极拳练习，持续 12 周。在基线、12 周和 12 周随访时进行了广泛的评估，包括疾病活动、自我报告的健康状况、身体表现测试（走八字、定时站立测试和肩部运动障碍量表）。在干预完成后进行焦点小组访谈，使用录音和逐字记录获得定性数据。对转录本进行审查，确定了患者练习太极拳时重要的主题。
在组内，太极拳练习导致干预结束时和 12 周随访时下肢肌肉功能得到改善。定性分析表明，患者在运动和日常生活中体验到身体状况改善、运动信心增强、平衡能力提高和疼痛减轻。其他体验包括减轻压力、增强身体意识、运动信心，并表明太极拳是 RA 可行的运动方式。
在这项探索性研究中，深入研究患者的太极拳体验时，也反映出下肢肌肉功能的改善。定量和定性研究方法的结合表明，太极拳对与疾病活动和标准化健康状况评估无关的健康有益，并且可能有助于理解太极拳如何发挥其作用。
NCT00522054。
